Codes and Conventions for Opening Sequences

In a motion picture, television programme or video game, the opening credits are shown at the very beginning and list the most important members of the production. They are now usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures, or sometimes on top of action in the show. There may or may not be accompanying music. Where opening credits are built into a separate sequence of their own, the correct term is title sequence.

Opening sequences need to follow the set codes and conventions in order to be successful in fulfilling their purpose, which is to:

• Introduce the narrative.
• Introduce the main character(s).
• Use a montage (in most cases).
• Use little or no dialogue (in most cases).

An example of an effective opening sequence is that of 'Se7en', which can be viewed below:

Se7en (1995)